My "Three Kings" of Christmas
Hey everyone! 😀 🎄 MERRY CHRISTMAS! 🎄 I am SO excited to share my 2022 Christmas story with y'all this year. 😊 I've been working tirelessly on it since October and it has been a real joy. It...
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Chapter 3
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Christmas Eve dinner was divine! Mmm. The best fried chicken breasts I’ve ever had in my entire life! The breading was a secret blend of spices concocted by Mami’s mother and tried as we might to get Mami to divulge the ingredients, she wouldn’t utter a single one. It was cute the way she kept shaking her head with a knowing smile at our guesses. I kinda got the feeling she was gesturing “No” to all of them so that nothing would slip or look too obvious in her face expression. Kai claimed that he knew the secret recipe - but chose to keep quiet out of respect to his mom - and gave me a little smirk as he said it. I dunno if he was saying that to impress me or what, but I kinda liked it.
We had au gratin potatoes on the side, along with some kimchi (SO spicy, yet very flavorful) and sparkling cider.
Apparently eating fried chicken - particularly from KFC - at Christmastime is a huge tradition among the Japanese people since like the 1970’s, so the Yamamoto’s thought it would be fun to honor that for our Christmas Eve feast. I know what you’re thinking…because I was. A bucket of KFC for Christmas dinner? Really!? It had me in one heck of an amused awe, but it was fun discussing and learning all about how the tradition came to be. Hoshi was pretty learned on it and remembered the time when it started quite well.
Ryu and I interacted much more normally at the dinner table, like nothing happened, because really, nothing did. We just experienced a tiny little flirtatious misunderstanding. It happens. And honestly, it didn’t surprise me that he had a girlfriend. I was happy for him. It was more his lively personality that I was somewhat taken with for a bit there and he seemed to make me laugh unlike anyone else had in a long while. But really, he was too young for me.
Naturally Aizen was practically mute during any discussion, more focused on eating, but he would occasionally lean over to listen to Amaya whisper something into his ear. Oftentimes I would try to acknowledge the man with a smile, but he wouldn’t really smile at me in return.
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What gives!? I thought in a tone of frustration. Was there something very wrong about me to him? It was driving me kinda bonkers! But I chose not to dwell on it too much because I’d seriously done nothing wrong.
Kai gave me many sweet, adoring glances throughout dinner. I might’ve been reflecting similar expressions back at him. He really is a handsome guy and such a kind and considerate person. (Same age as me too!) And his trim body was a nice plus. I was certainly flattered by the attention he was giving me. Any woman would be lucky to have him as her beau. My fluttering heart was honestly desiring to be that woman.
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It was strange but…spending almost the entire day with the Yamamoto’s…they felt like family to me. As if we were that one big, happy - and seemingly perfect - family that’s in almost every Hallmark Christmas movie. And for the first time in my life, I began to realize that a family like that actually can exist. I mean, sure my own little family was wonderful, absolutely, but our unit felt nothing like this. A part of me wished my older brother and sister were here to relish in the beautiful feeling that I was feeling, and to complete the “family.”
For dessert, Mami brought out some brown sugar dusted, cream filled, mochi balls. Ooh, such little bites of heaven! Another Japanese treat.
After dinner I offered to help my mom and Mami with the dishes, while the men cleaned up the living room and put the furniture back in their rightful places.
As I was drying one of the larger pots and putting it away, I turned around to find that the person who had been standing next to me was no longer my mom. It was Kai. I won’t deny that my heart skipped a beat as our eyes met.
“Hey,” he softly addressed, thumbs in his pockets. “I came in here to see if you ladies needed some help, but,” he glanced around, “it looks like you’re all done.”
“Yep,” I smiled, wiping my hands dry with the dishcloth and then setting it down on the counter.
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His gaze, while alluring, seemed to be examining me. “So, you alright?” he tenderly asked.
Eh? I blinked for a moment. “Yeah. Why do you ask?”
He inched closer as he answered, “It seemed like things got a little uncomfortable back there between you and Ryu…”
Wow. He IS perceptive, I thought. As any great therapist would be. It added to his charm. I felt the blood draining from my face as I said, “Oh. Was is that obvious?”
“To the others, I don’t think so,” he assured me. “I can just sense things,” he ended with a flirty wink.
I nodded with a blushed smile.
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It seemed he could sense a little more from me too. “Sorry, I’m not trying to embarrass you…I just…wanted to make sure you were alright.”
He was so sweet, and it made my heart swell. “Yes, I’m fine. Thank you.” Then I chuckled. “Apparently my inner fangirl was coming out more than I realized…He looks a lot like–”
“Jungkook from BTS,” he finished for me.
“YES!”
He grinned. “Yeah he gets that a lot. They are one of his favorite K-Pop groups.”
“I gathered,” I said with just as bright a grin as his.
For a few seconds we just stood there continuing to gaze and smile at each other, hearts fluttering.
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“Kai? Malai?” Mami called as she entered the kitchen. “Come join us in the living room for Hoshi’s reading of ‘The Night Before Christmas.’”
How lovely, I thought. Seriously…just like out of a Hallmark Christmas movie.
Kai offered me his arm. “Well, shall we?”
I took it with a blushed smile, his touch sending tingling shockwaves throughout my body. “Yes.”
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Oh my goodness…I could listen to Mr. Yamamoto’s voice reading a story anytime, anywhere. It was so eloquent and soothing, making everyone’s eyelids droop into a longing, peaceful winter’s slumber. The only light in the room came from the Christmas tree and the small lamp beside his reading chair. Adding to the ambience was the gently falling snowflakes outside the window. I thought for sure that Amaya would have been lulled to sleep by her grandfather’s voice, all curled up in his arms, but no, she stayed awake and attentive throughout the entire story.
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It was actually Ryu who ended up dozing off, but cried out, “I’m awake!” just as his father finished the story. It made everyone chuckle.
“Thank you for allowing us to host you on this Christmas Eve, Sergio, Nin, and Malai,” Hoshi concluded the evening with. Mami nodded beside him.
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“Thank you for having us,” my mom kindly said.
“Yes. Dinner was delicious,” my dad added, patting his plump stomach. I heard a tiny giggle come out of Amaya at the gesture.
“Absolutely!” I concurred. “It was so much fun meeting all of you today...
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...I had a lovely time and,” I might’ve thrown a glance over at Kai sitting right beside me, “I look forward to spending more time with you again tomorrow.” Oops. Did I say that in the singular sense? I meant plural. I really did, even if it meant being around grumpy Aizen again. I still wondered what on earth was up with that man.
“Malai! Before you go, will you please, please, pleeeease stay and watch me open my Christmas Eve gift?” Amaya begged, clasping her hands before her mouth.
Now Aizen actually looked me in the eye, as if greatly curious to hear my response.
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My answer would’ve been the same no matter what look he gave me. “Of course! I wouldn’t want to miss it.” I smiled at her.
His face relaxed a little.
Amaya then jumped for joy. “Yay! Thank you!”
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“Now the question is Amaya dear,” her grandmother addressed, “which gift would you like to open?”
“Umm…,” Amaya mumbled, getting down on her knees and crawling around the tree in her search. I guess they didn’t do new pajamas or winter attire on Christmas Eve the way my family always did. And I loved that they didn’t. “How about this one from you daddy?” she addressed, holding up a medium sized present.
Aizen arched his head for a moment in thought. “No, not that one…How about that smaller one right by your leg?”
Amaya’s head instantly dropped down - along with the medium sized present, it made me chuckle - as she picked up the smaller box and shook it for a moment. Aizen smiled and nodded at her to begin opening it.
Oh it was such an adorable sight to see; a young child ripping open a present with such anxious, unsuppressed excitement. For a moment I could see my young self in her. It really took me back.
A loud gasp rang through the air, along with a squeal. “You remembered!” she exclaimed to her dad as she lifted the gift out of the box for everyone to see.
I nearly gasped myself! It was a Tamagotchi! They still make those!? I thought, then held a hand to my heart. Oh how adorable! I remember playing with my older sister’s when I was like…four years old. I was trying so hard not to kill her precious virtual pet, because I knew she would kill me. However, despite my best efforts, I did, and she never let me play with it again. It was ok though because taking care of that silly thing made me feel more anxious than was normal at that age! I decided I didn't want one after all.
“Thank you!” Amaya cried, throwing her arms around her father’s neck and kissing him on the cheek. “I love you!”
Aizen smiled brighter than I had seen all day and it was a very handsome smile, I must admit. One he should really show more often.
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“You’re welcome baby girl,” he said in return, kissing her on the cheek as well. “Love you too.”
Then Amaya turned to me and held up her pink, with cupcake sprinkles printed on it, Tamagotchi again with glee. “Look Malai! My very own virtual pet!”
“I know! That’s fantastic! That pet is very lucky to have you as its owner,” I winked.
She grinned.
Before my parents and I left for the evening, Mami and Hoshi presented my parents with a beautifully wrapped gift - which I thought was for all three of us - and of course my mother hugged them both in thanks.
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Then Mami turned to me with a similarly wrapped gift that Hoshi had hidden behind his back and slipped to her to present to me. “And here’s a gift for you, dear Malai.”
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My heart was deeply touched. “Oh, thank you. Both of you. You didn’t have to…”
“It was our pleasure,” Mami continued with a light bow of her head. I bowed my head to her in the same manner and naturally my eyes wandered over to Kai. He gave off a similar expression to his mother’s, although it seemed as if he was longing to say something more to me in parting, but wasn’t able to.
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We held each other’s gazes for a moment, until I was startled by Amaya throwing her arms around my waist.
“Bye Malai,” she sweetly said as she squeezed, then looked up at me. “It was so much fun having you here. I can’t wait to see you again tomorrow!”
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Aww, I thought. She was truly adorable. I’d never had a child become so enamored with me before and…it felt kinda nice. Maybe she was feeling the same “family” vibe between all of us that I was and couldn’t contain her excitement about it. I almost stroked her hair, but instead patted her on the back. “I look forward to seeing you again too. Have a very Merry Christmas.”
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Those were the two words we all wished to each other as my parents and I departed into the snowy outdoors. Thankfully it was just a few steps across the street to get back home.
Little did I know that there was some discussion amongst the three brothers in the foyer about me not long after we left…
❄❄❄
“So…Malai?” Kai started the conversation with, darting quick, inquiring glances between his two brothers.
“She’s a knockout!” Ryu exclaimed. “Totally unexpected surprise seeing her walk in! Man if I wasn’t dating Tara…”
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Aizen shook his head with an eye-roll.
“Great job informing her about that by the way,” Kai somewhat teased.
“Sorry! I totally thought I mentioned her.”
“You were just too busy gawking all over ‘the new girl’ to remember,” Aizen muttered with folded arms. “Some devoted boyfriend you are, Ryu…”
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“Oh c’mon Aizen, like I’m not allowed to notice when another girl is hot? It’s not like you didn’t do plenty of scoping out back in your day while dating other chicks…”
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The eldest shook his head again.
“I didn’t do anything wrong!” Ryu continued with his hands spread apart. “I flirt without realizing it, ok. It’s my personality. It’s not like I kissed her or anything. I wouldn’t do that to Tara.”
“Right,” Kai agreed, the therapist in him coming out to appease the two. “It’s ok to notice, but not act on it.”
Ryu threw out a strong nod in Aizen’s direction, to which the eldest ignored.
“Besides, she’s a little old for you isn’t she?” Kai added to Ryu.
“Not when she’s that hot!” he responded with a grin.
Kai shook his head with a smile and then turned to Aizen. “So what do you think of her?”
There came a quick, inexpressive shrug from the man. “She’s alright, I guess…”
“Just ‘alright?’” Ryu asked with an incredulous gasp. “Are you blind Aizen!?”
“No, he’s just guarded…,” Kai answered for him.
“Well you guys would be too if every woman that comes into your life is immediately turned off by the fact that you have a ten year old daughter…,” Aizen basically revealed.
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Ryu bobbed his head at that unfortunate truth.
“Speaking of Amaya, she seems to be quite taken with Malai…,” Kai carefully mentioned to Aizen.
“Yeah…I noticed that…”
“Aaaand…how do you feel about that?”
“Look, don’t shrink me ok?”
“I’m not! I’m genuinely–”
“Amaya can like whoever she wants, alright. Doesn’t mean I have to,” Aizen quickly dismissed, looking away with a glare.
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Now it was Ryu who shook his head with an eye-roll.
“Well, I think Malai’s great,” Kai declared, his mouth forming into a besotted smile. “She’s kind, strong, passionate and driven, and yes, very attractive,” he gestured in agreement towards Ryu. “I guess I,” he paused, staring at the front door with a fluttering heart, “felt there was a mutual attraction there and…I’d love to explore it. I mean, the fact that our parents love each other is a definite plus so there wouldn’t be any issues there. I’m thinking about asking her out on a date; after Christmas of course.”
“Go for it!” Ryu encouraged with a hard pat on Kai’s shoulder.
“If she’s still around…,” Aizen muttered.
“Well I guess I’ll have to find out and see,” Kai acknowledged his older brother with excitement in his eyes and grin.
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It was a plan!
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The dim light from the string of white Christmas lights draped over my headboard was all I had to see with while slipping into my new cozy, Christmas Eve flannel pajamas. I could’ve turned the bedroom light on, but I preferred just the tiny lights for tonight. It created that Christmas ambience that I always loved.
Phone in hand, I checked the battery percent, before calling Landon. I couldn’t wait to tell him all about the day!
My phone rang before I could even dial and I grinned brightly at who it was.
“Heeey,” I answered with. “I was just about to call you.”
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“You were huh?” Landon pleasantly asked.
“Yes.” I grinned. “To tell you that you were right…”
“Oh? I like being right.”
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I chuckled, with a hint of a giggle.
“So what am I right about?”
“That I would end up having a great time this Christmas with our guests, the neighbors. I already am.”
“Awesome! That’s so great to hear, Mai. Cause I was just calling to see how everything is going over there and how you’re holding up.”
“Oh my gosh Landon…I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m actually glad that I came home this Christmas.” I blissfully sighed while sitting down on my bed. “So get this: when I was going over to meet the neighbors I was totally expecting to meet the parents and some daughters and sons, right?”
“Right.”
“Well…they actually don’t have any daughters…only sons! Three of them. And they are freaking GORGEOUS!”
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“Really?”
“Yeah! And SINGLE!”
“Get out!”
“Wait, no!” I squeezed my eyes shut in correction. “One is taken, the other two are single.” Geez!
“Oh. Well hey, maybe you can take one and I’ll take the other.” I could practically feel his smirk behind the phone.
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“I dunnooooo,” I trailed off, standing up again. “Neither of them are gay and even if they were, the one would be nice for you, the other…he’s a bit of a stiff!”
Landon laughed. “And my guess is you aren’t too interested in the ‘stiff?’”
“Not at all. But he sure has one sweet daughter though…”
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“Oh yeah? How old is she?”
“I’m not sure. Nine or ten I would guess.”
“Cute. So…do you feel somewhat torn in that regard?” I could feel his smirk again.
“No.” What exactly was he getting at? I quickly dismissed the thought. “I’m much too taken with her uncle,” I admitted through a smitten smile. “He’s a real sweetheart Landon; next to you. Let me tell you all about him.”
“I’m listening.”
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Landon is always such an excellent listener. I’ve always confided in him about everything without any fear of whatever I say leaving his lips. It’s funny, but I was beginning to feel the same for Kai. And I’d only known him for one DAY!
“There was just this connection, you know?”
“Oh yeah, I do,” Landon acknowledged, “and those are the connections you never wanna let slip past you. You should definitely ask him out, or at least ask for his number, so you two can keep in touch after Christmas.”
I nodded my head with a smile. “Once again your thoughts are exactly the same as mine.” I could sense he was smiling too behind the phone.
“Well,” I sighed, then yawned, looking at the clock, “It’s late and time for me to turn in. I’m sure Santa has passed by our house a couple of times already because I’m still awake.”
He laughed. “Well in that regard, I guess I should do the same. I’m really glad Christmas is going better for you this year, Mai. I’m relieved and so happy for you.”
“Thanks Landon.” My heart swelled at his loving words. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas to you too. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
As I sunk my head into my silky pillow, beneath the dim glow of the lights, I couldn’t wait for Christmas morning to come. Not so that I could anxiously rip open presents and see what I got, that was far from my mind actually.
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I couldn’t wait to see Kai again.
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:mrgreen:
*Sorry to make y'all wait a little longer for the next chapter, cause it's going to be a pretty busy weekend, so Chapter 4 will be here Sunday, Dec 11th! ? Most likely in the late afternoon. Thanks for your patience. <3 *
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Christmas Eve dinner was divine! Mmm. The best fried chicken breasts I’ve ever had in my entire life! The breading was a secret blend of spices concocted by Mami’s mother and tried as we might to get Mami to divulge the ingredients, she wouldn’t utter a single one. It was cute the way she kept shaking her head with a knowing smile at our guesses. I kinda got the feeling she was gesturing “No” to all of them so that nothing would slip or look too obvious in her face expression. Kai claimed that he knew the secret recipe - but chose to keep quiet out of respect to his mom - and gave me a little smirk as he said it. I dunno if he was saying that to impress me or what, but I kinda liked it.
We had au gratin potatoes on the side, along with some kimchi (SO spicy, yet very flavorful) and sparkling cider.
Apparently eating fried chicken - particularly from KFC - at Christmastime is a huge tradition among the Japanese people since like the 1970’s, so the Yamamoto’s thought it would be fun to honor that for our Christmas Eve feast. I know what you’re thinking…because I was. A bucket of KFC for Christmas dinner? Really!? It had me in one heck of an amused awe, but it was fun discussing and learning all about how the tradition came to be. Hoshi was pretty learned on it and remembered the time when it started quite well.
Ryu and I interacted much more normally at the dinner table, like nothing happened, because really, nothing did. We just experienced a tiny little flirtatious misunderstanding. It happens. And honestly, it didn’t surprise me that he had a girlfriend. I was happy for him. It was more his lively personality that I was somewhat taken with for a bit there and he seemed to make me laugh unlike anyone else had in a long while. But really, he was too young for me.
Naturally Aizen was practically mute during any discussion, more focused on eating, but he would occasionally lean over to listen to Amaya whisper something into his ear. Oftentimes I would try to acknowledge the man with a smile, but he wouldn’t really smile at me in return.
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What gives!? I thought in a tone of frustration. Was there something very wrong about me to him? It was driving me kinda bonkers! But I chose not to dwell on it too much because I’d seriously done nothing wrong.
Kai gave me many sweet, adoring glances throughout dinner. I might’ve been reflecting similar expressions back at him. He really is a handsome guy and such a kind and considerate person. (Same age as me too!) And his trim body was a nice plus. I was certainly flattered by the attention he was giving me. Any woman would be lucky to have him as her beau. My fluttering heart was honestly desiring to be that woman.
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It was strange but…spending almost the entire day with the Yamamoto’s…they felt like family to me. As if we were that one big, happy - and seemingly perfect - family that’s in almost every Hallmark Christmas movie. And for the first time in my life, I began to realize that a family like that actually can exist. I mean, sure my own little family was wonderful, absolutely, but our unit felt nothing like this. A part of me wished my older brother and sister were here to relish in the beautiful feeling that I was feeling, and to complete the “family.”
For dessert, Mami brought out some brown sugar dusted, cream filled, mochi balls. Ooh, such little bites of heaven! Another Japanese treat.
After dinner I offered to help my mom and Mami with the dishes, while the men cleaned up the living room and put the furniture back in their rightful places.
As I was drying one of the larger pots and putting it away, I turned around to find that the person who had been standing next to me was no longer my mom. It was Kai. I won’t deny that my heart skipped a beat as our eyes met.
“Hey,” he softly addressed, thumbs in his pockets. “I came in here to see if you ladies needed some help, but,” he glanced around, “it looks like you’re all done.”
“Yep,” I smiled, wiping my hands dry with the dishcloth and then setting it down on the counter.
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His gaze, while alluring, seemed to be examining me. “So, you alright?” he tenderly asked.
Eh? I blinked for a moment. “Yeah. Why do you ask?”
He inched closer as he answered, “It seemed like things got a little uncomfortable back there between you and Ryu…”
Wow. He IS perceptive, I thought. As any great therapist would be. It added to his charm. I felt the blood draining from my face as I said, “Oh. Was is that obvious?”
“To the others, I don’t think so,” he assured me. “I can just sense things,” he ended with a flirty wink.
I nodded with a blushed smile.
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It seemed he could sense a little more from me too. “Sorry, I’m not trying to embarrass you…I just…wanted to make sure you were alright.”
He was so sweet, and it made my heart swell. “Yes, I’m fine. Thank you.” Then I chuckled. “Apparently my inner fangirl was coming out more than I realized…He looks a lot like–”
“Jungkook from BTS,” he finished for me.
“YES!”
He grinned. “Yeah he gets that a lot. They are one of his favorite K-Pop groups.”
“I gathered,” I said with just as bright a grin as his.
For a few seconds we just stood there continuing to gaze and smile at each other, hearts fluttering.
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“Kai? Malai?” Mami called as she entered the kitchen. “Come join us in the living room for Hoshi’s reading of ‘The Night Before Christmas.’”
How lovely, I thought. Seriously…just like out of a Hallmark Christmas movie.
Kai offered me his arm. “Well, shall we?”
I took it with a blushed smile, his touch sending tingling shockwaves throughout my body. “Yes.”
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Oh my goodness…I could listen to Mr. Yamamoto’s voice reading a story anytime, anywhere. It was so eloquent and soothing, making everyone’s eyelids droop into a longing, peaceful winter’s slumber. The only light in the room came from the Christmas tree and the small lamp beside his reading chair. Adding to the ambience was the gently falling snowflakes outside the window. I thought for sure that Amaya would have been lulled to sleep by her grandfather’s voice, all curled up in his arms, but no, she stayed awake and attentive throughout the entire story.
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It was actually Ryu who ended up dozing off, but cried out, “I’m awake!” just as his father finished the story. It made everyone chuckle.
“Thank you for allowing us to host you on this Christmas Eve, Sergio, Nin, and Malai,” Hoshi concluded the evening with. Mami nodded beside him.
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“Thank you for having us,” my mom kindly said.
“Yes. Dinner was delicious,” my dad added, patting his plump stomach. I heard a tiny giggle come out of Amaya at the gesture.
“Absolutely!” I concurred. “It was so much fun meeting all of you today...
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...I had a lovely time and,” I might’ve thrown a glance over at Kai sitting right beside me, “I look forward to spending more time with you again tomorrow.” Oops. Did I say that in the singular sense? I meant plural. I really did, even if it meant being around grumpy Aizen again. I still wondered what on earth was up with that man.
“Malai! Before you go, will you please, please, pleeeease stay and watch me open my Christmas Eve gift?” Amaya begged, clasping her hands before her mouth.
Now Aizen actually looked me in the eye, as if greatly curious to hear my response.
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My answer would’ve been the same no matter what look he gave me. “Of course! I wouldn’t want to miss it.” I smiled at her.
His face relaxed a little.
Amaya then jumped for joy. “Yay! Thank you!”
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“Now the question is Amaya dear,” her grandmother addressed, “which gift would you like to open?”
“Umm…,” Amaya mumbled, getting down on her knees and crawling around the tree in her search. I guess they didn’t do new pajamas or winter attire on Christmas Eve the way my family always did. And I loved that they didn’t. “How about this one from you daddy?” she addressed, holding up a medium sized present.
Aizen arched his head for a moment in thought. “No, not that one…How about that smaller one right by your leg?”
Amaya’s head instantly dropped down - along with the medium sized present, it made me chuckle - as she picked up the smaller box and shook it for a moment. Aizen smiled and nodded at her to begin opening it.
Oh it was such an adorable sight to see; a young child ripping open a present with such anxious, unsuppressed excitement. For a moment I could see my young self in her. It really took me back.
A loud gasp rang through the air, along with a squeal. “You remembered!” she exclaimed to her dad as she lifted the gift out of the box for everyone to see.
I nearly gasped myself! It was a Tamagotchi! They still make those!? I thought, then held a hand to my heart. Oh how adorable! I remember playing with my older sister’s when I was like…four years old. I was trying so hard not to kill her precious virtual pet, because I knew she would kill me. However, despite my best efforts, I did, and she never let me play with it again. It was ok though because taking care of that silly thing made me feel more anxious than was normal at that age! I decided I didn't want one after all.
“Thank you!” Amaya cried, throwing her arms around her father’s neck and kissing him on the cheek. “I love you!”
Aizen smiled brighter than I had seen all day and it was a very handsome smile, I must admit. One he should really show more often.
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“You’re welcome baby girl,” he said in return, kissing her on the cheek as well. “Love you too.”
Then Amaya turned to me and held up her pink, with cupcake sprinkles printed on it, Tamagotchi again with glee. “Look Malai! My very own virtual pet!”
“I know! That’s fantastic! That pet is very lucky to have you as its owner,” I winked.
She grinned.
Before my parents and I left for the evening, Mami and Hoshi presented my parents with a beautifully wrapped gift - which I thought was for all three of us - and of course my mother hugged them both in thanks.
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Then Mami turned to me with a similarly wrapped gift that Hoshi had hidden behind his back and slipped to her to present to me. “And here’s a gift for you, dear Malai.”
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My heart was deeply touched. “Oh, thank you. Both of you. You didn’t have to…”
“It was our pleasure,” Mami continued with a light bow of her head. I bowed my head to her in the same manner and naturally my eyes wandered over to Kai. He gave off a similar expression to his mother’s, although it seemed as if he was longing to say something more to me in parting, but wasn’t able to.
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We held each other’s gazes for a moment, until I was startled by Amaya throwing her arms around my waist.
“Bye Malai,” she sweetly said as she squeezed, then looked up at me. “It was so much fun having you here. I can’t wait to see you again tomorrow!”
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Aww, I thought. She was truly adorable. I’d never had a child become so enamored with me before and…it felt kinda nice. Maybe she was feeling the same “family” vibe between all of us that I was and couldn’t contain her excitement about it. I almost stroked her hair, but instead patted her on the back. “I look forward to seeing you again too. Have a very Merry Christmas.”
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Those were the two words we all wished to each other as my parents and I departed into the snowy outdoors. Thankfully it was just a few steps across the street to get back home.
Little did I know that there was some discussion amongst the three brothers in the foyer about me not long after we left…
“So…Malai?” Kai started the conversation with, darting quick, inquiring glances between his two brothers.
“She’s a knockout!” Ryu exclaimed. “Totally unexpected surprise seeing her walk in! Man if I wasn’t dating Tara…”
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Aizen shook his head with an eye-roll.
“Great job informing her about that by the way,” Kai somewhat teased.
“Sorry! I totally thought I mentioned her.”
“You were just too busy gawking all over ‘the new girl’ to remember,” Aizen muttered with folded arms. “Some devoted boyfriend you are, Ryu…”
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“Oh c’mon Aizen, like I’m not allowed to notice when another girl is hot? It’s not like you didn’t do plenty of scoping out back in your day while dating other chicks…”
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The eldest shook his head again.
“I didn’t do anything wrong!” Ryu continued with his hands spread apart. “I flirt without realizing it, ok. It’s my personality. It’s not like I kissed her or anything. I wouldn’t do that to Tara.”
“Right,” Kai agreed, the therapist in him coming out to appease the two. “It’s ok to notice, but not act on it.”
Ryu threw out a strong nod in Aizen’s direction, to which the eldest ignored.
“Besides, she’s a little old for you isn’t she?” Kai added to Ryu.
“Not when she’s that hot!” he responded with a grin.
Kai shook his head with a smile and then turned to Aizen. “So what do you think of her?”
There came a quick, inexpressive shrug from the man. “She’s alright, I guess…”
“Just ‘alright?’” Ryu asked with an incredulous gasp. “Are you blind Aizen!?”
“No, he’s just guarded…,” Kai answered for him.
“Well you guys would be too if every woman that comes into your life is immediately turned off by the fact that you have a ten year old daughter…,” Aizen basically revealed.
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Ryu bobbed his head at that unfortunate truth.
“Speaking of Amaya, she seems to be quite taken with Malai…,” Kai carefully mentioned to Aizen.
“Yeah…I noticed that…”
“Aaaand…how do you feel about that?”
“Look, don’t shrink me ok?”
“I’m not! I’m genuinely–”
“Amaya can like whoever she wants, alright. Doesn’t mean I have to,” Aizen quickly dismissed, looking away with a glare.
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Now it was Ryu who shook his head with an eye-roll.
“Well, I think Malai’s great,” Kai declared, his mouth forming into a besotted smile. “She’s kind, strong, passionate and driven, and yes, very attractive,” he gestured in agreement towards Ryu. “I guess I,” he paused, staring at the front door with a fluttering heart, “felt there was a mutual attraction there and…I’d love to explore it. I mean, the fact that our parents love each other is a definite plus so there wouldn’t be any issues there. I’m thinking about asking her out on a date; after Christmas of course.”
“Go for it!” Ryu encouraged with a hard pat on Kai’s shoulder.
“If she’s still around…,” Aizen muttered.
“Well I guess I’ll have to find out and see,” Kai acknowledged his older brother with excitement in his eyes and grin.
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It was a plan!
The dim light from the string of white Christmas lights draped over my headboard was all I had to see with while slipping into my new cozy, Christmas Eve flannel pajamas. I could’ve turned the bedroom light on, but I preferred just the tiny lights for tonight. It created that Christmas ambience that I always loved.
Phone in hand, I checked the battery percent, before calling Landon. I couldn’t wait to tell him all about the day!
My phone rang before I could even dial and I grinned brightly at who it was.
“Heeey,” I answered with. “I was just about to call you.”
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“You were huh?” Landon pleasantly asked.
“Yes.” I grinned. “To tell you that you were right…”
“Oh? I like being right.”
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I chuckled, with a hint of a giggle.
“So what am I right about?”
“That I would end up having a great time this Christmas with our guests, the neighbors. I already am.”
“Awesome! That’s so great to hear, Mai. Cause I was just calling to see how everything is going over there and how you’re holding up.”
“Oh my gosh Landon…I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m actually glad that I came home this Christmas.” I blissfully sighed while sitting down on my bed. “So get this: when I was going over to meet the neighbors I was totally expecting to meet the parents and some daughters and sons, right?”
“Right.”
“Well…they actually don’t have any daughters…only sons! Three of them. And they are freaking GORGEOUS!”
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“Really?”
“Yeah! And SINGLE!”
“Get out!”
“Wait, no!” I squeezed my eyes shut in correction. “One is taken, the other two are single.” Geez!
“Oh. Well hey, maybe you can take one and I’ll take the other.” I could practically feel his smirk behind the phone.
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“I dunnooooo,” I trailed off, standing up again. “Neither of them are gay and even if they were, the one would be nice for you, the other…he’s a bit of a stiff!”
Landon laughed. “And my guess is you aren’t too interested in the ‘stiff?’”
“Not at all. But he sure has one sweet daughter though…”
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“Oh yeah? How old is she?”
“I’m not sure. Nine or ten I would guess.”
“Cute. So…do you feel somewhat torn in that regard?” I could feel his smirk again.
“No.” What exactly was he getting at? I quickly dismissed the thought. “I’m much too taken with her uncle,” I admitted through a smitten smile. “He’s a real sweetheart Landon; next to you. Let me tell you all about him.”
“I’m listening.”
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Landon is always such an excellent listener. I’ve always confided in him about everything without any fear of whatever I say leaving his lips. It’s funny, but I was beginning to feel the same for Kai. And I’d only known him for one DAY!
“There was just this connection, you know?”
“Oh yeah, I do,” Landon acknowledged, “and those are the connections you never wanna let slip past you. You should definitely ask him out, or at least ask for his number, so you two can keep in touch after Christmas.”
I nodded my head with a smile. “Once again your thoughts are exactly the same as mine.” I could sense he was smiling too behind the phone.
“Well,” I sighed, then yawned, looking at the clock, “It’s late and time for me to turn in. I’m sure Santa has passed by our house a couple of times already because I’m still awake.”
He laughed. “Well in that regard, I guess I should do the same. I’m really glad Christmas is going better for you this year, Mai. I’m relieved and so happy for you.”
“Thanks Landon.” My heart swelled at his loving words. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas to you too. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
As I sunk my head into my silky pillow, beneath the dim glow of the lights, I couldn’t wait for Christmas morning to come. Not so that I could anxiously rip open presents and see what I got, that was far from my mind actually.
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I couldn’t wait to see Kai again.
:mrgreen:
*Sorry to make y'all wait a little longer for the next chapter, cause it's going to be a pretty busy weekend, so Chapter 4 will be here Sunday, Dec 11th! ? Most likely in the late afternoon. Thanks for your patience. <3 *
